Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 17: In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court on Monday struck down the externment order issued against Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, a prominent activist advocating in the Soujanya case, and directed authorities to reconsider the matter afresh.
Timarodi had been ordered to leave Dakshina Kannada district and report to Manvi taluk in Raichur district for a year, following an externment directive issued on September 18 by Puttur assistant commissioner Stella Varghese. Challenging what he described as an “unjust and arbitrary” action, he moved a writ petition before the High Court.
After completing the hearing earlier, the single-judge bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj delivered the reserved judgment, partly allowing the petition and quashing the externment order.
The bench further instructed the Puttur Assistant Commissioner, named as the second respondent, to “consider the case afresh and issue an appropriate order in accordance with law.”
Timarodi’s supporters have welcomed the ruling, calling it “a major relief” and “a step towards fairness,” although the court has made it clear that the matter must undergo fresh evaluation by the competent authority.
A detailed copy of the judgment is expected to be made available shortly.